US stocks seek to add to winning streak as new week opens

IN THE NEWS TODAY

The S&P 500 is coming off its best weekly gain of the year, and the Dow has risen for six straight sessions as investors begin a new week. The fate of the market rally could well depend on the increasing pace of corporate earnings in the coming weeks, as well as how economic data fuels speculation about what may happen at the late October meeting of Federal Reserve policymakers. (CNBC)

Federal Reserve Vice Chairman Stanley Fischer said Sunday Fed policymakers are still likely to raise interest rates this year, but that could change if the global economy pushes the United States off course. (Reuters)

Dell will purchase cloud computing company EMC in a deal worth $67 billion in cash and stock, marking the biggest tech transaction on record. EMC CEO and Chairman Joe Tucci confirmed on "Squawk Box" reports that his company has asked for a "go-shop" provision that would allow EMC to seek out other buyers and will give it a discounted breakup fee if it finds a more desirable deal. (CNBC)

A former investigator for the House Select Committee on Benghazi claims he was unfairly fired for trying to conduct a non-partisan probe instead of focusing on former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Maj. Bradley Podliska, an intelligence officer in the Air Force reserve, plans to file a federal complaint against the committee, a draft of which NBC News reviewed. (NBC News)

Jailed Washington Post correspondent Jason Rezaian has been convicted in Iran's Revolutionary Court, the Washington Post reported, citing Iranian state television. Rezaian was arrested during a raid on his home in July 2014 and was charged with espionage in May. (Washington Post)

BY THE NUMBERS

There are no economic reports due out today, but there's plenty of Fed fodder for investors: No less than three Fed officials have public appearances scheduled.

First up is Atlanta Fed President Dennis Lockhart, who will speak at an Orlando, Florida event at 8:10 a.m. ET. Chicago Fed President Charles Evans gives a 10:30 a.m. ET speech in Chicago, while Fed Governor Lael Brainard has a 4:30 p.m. ET appearance at the annual meeting of the National Association for Business Economics.

STOCKS TO WATCH

Twitter is among the stocks to watch today, with Re/code reporting that the company plans to announce layoffs this week. It was not clear how many of Twitter's 4,100 workers will lose their jobs.

Fordplans to invest $1.8 billion over the next five years in China, to expand research and development in that country.

JPMorgan Chasewon dismissal of a whistleblower lawsuit that former vice president Jennifer Sharkey had filed against the bank. She had charged that the bank ignored warnings of a potential fraud by a client.

WATERCOOLER

Warner Bros.' "Pan" failed to fly at the U.S. box office this weekend. The big-budget Peter Pan origin story earned just $15.5 million in its debut, making it one of the biggest bombs of the year. (AP)